‘Sorry, but I must have missed your tenure as England manager.’
Indubitably, the Rodent’s most infamous quote. Yet it was a rather different quote of his that struck me. It’s relevance still resonates today.
‘The only difference is that it won’t be in a Norwich shirt, but I’ve had a couple of targets in mind for three or four months now that – I hope – will become new heroes. But you can’t spend your life in the past.‘
I don’t know why, but this quote always stayed with me. Some of you will have worked out the reference point, for those who haven’t, cast your mind back to spring 2008, when we said goodbye to one Darren Huckerby. I was absolutely gutted.
As a fan since 1993, my supporters journey had seen high profile player, nay hero, after high profile player plucked from us. Fox, Sutton, Ward, Newsome, Keith O’Neill, Eadie, Andy Johnson… ad Infinitum.
And the incomings who replaced them were most definitely not of the ‘well known‘ variety. Most didn’t work out: K.Scott (take your pick), Howie, Brellier, Killen.
Some worked out rather well, but had had modest careers prior to signing; Drury, Roberts, Ashton to name a few.
And a few did very well who had had Un noteworthy careers prior to joining; Gary Holt, Mulryne, Drury, Grant Holt.
But to my mind, we had never signed a ‘really well known’ player. Yet in the summer of 2003, we did. Enter Darren Huckerby. I was ecstatic. What a signing. A real statement of intent. Worthy laid a marker down and boy did he deliver.
And no one saw his departure coming. Here one season and storming it… gone the next. I honestly believe he had several more seasons in him. Such a shame.
Yet the ‘new hero’ that the Rodent was indeed referring to, was none other than Wesley Hoolahan. Debatably more successful than Hucks…. but in any event a new hero. And when Wessi departed our hallowed turf, more than a few shed a tear or two.
I’d even go so far as to hazard a guess that some of those tear shedders were none too pleased at his replacing Hucks (myself included). But on his departure, we welcomed the new heroes into the fold: Maddison, Buendia, Pukki.
And indeed we will welcome more to come. As one door closes another opens. We may lose the heralded five… we may lose some or indeed none of them. But what’s for certain is we will have new superstars to cheer and new superstars to break our hearts when they finally depart.
Will be it current players such as Martin or Idah, or new signings; Placheta, Hugill, Dowell or Skipp. Who knows.
But I for one, can’t wait to find out.
Oh, and if you’re interested in reading the entire transcript of Roeder’s interview, then click on the link below. It’s amazing what a Google search throws up.
Hi Martin
I always had the opinion that as Hucks and Roeder had been at Newcastle together it would be a friendly reunion but maybe there was some sort of bad blood between them.
Having been a fan since the late 50’s I always go as my favourite players as Peter’s, Paddon, Neighbour, Reeves, Bowyer,
Ashton was a short stopover once the Wet Spam showed interest he wanted out even today he rarely acknowledge city and he lives in the city, Sutton agitated for a move and only finds city a team to build his reputation on as a pundit.
Heros being an ex service I really find that a bad description for an over paid sportsman that are mostly egotistical and do public appearances just to keep in the limelight and yes there are a few that are genuine about doing good for me I hope that all the players city ever sign become legends and have great careers.
Can any or all of the new players go on to become city greats yes will they possibly all no a few will by the law of average will fall along the way.
All we hope for is that they show respect for the club, supporters and try to be as successful as possible the they just might get the adoration they crave.
Onwards and upwards
OTBC
Stay safe and stay healthy
A salient point, Alex. We are very quick to bandy that word around. As a history teacher, I’m very aware of what our armed forces have done for us. True heroes all of them.
Never saw Wes as my replacement, he had many attributes but none of them were suited to playing left wing, Ncfc were relegated the season after I left but it probably changed the direction of the club for the better! Would’ve been been nice to play with Wes, scary prospect for defences 💪🏼
Now *that* we would have loved to have seen, mate!
Me too – and 20,000 others!
Now that’s a frightening prospect! Thanks for reading and and still gutted that didn’t get a few more seasons out of you!
Hi Martin
I’m not in a good mood this morning so perhaps feeling a little bit uncharitable but our new away kit?
My first thought is *are we Ipswich in disguise*?
I’d have to see the real thing to judge 100% accurately but it looks like a Binners top to me 🙁
Good video though.
You’re quite right about when a hero departs another shall surely arise but the way Hucks was treated was typical Roedent.
Cheers
Hi Martin
It is the best top I have seen and It is similar to a few old Ipshite tops.
Hope tonight’s cricket cheer you up
Awful kit! Apparently it’s ‘petrol’ colour, although quite how we are supposed to know what colour petrol is, I’m not too sure.
I’ve seen some fabulous mock ups of a white ‘asics’ kit with rainbow stripes. Now that I’d have loved to have seen.
Yes, I would have preferred to white mock-ups (both versions) with the rainbow colours. Apparently, the petrol flour is supposed to be same as that worn by staff nurses at the N&N.
It’s a very good point Martin that we rarely – if ever – buy a named player. And that’s for decades. Huckerby and Crouch were a real boost to confidence at the time. A real chest-puffer. On the other hand, Naismith was a name too…
Good article, MMacB
With all respect to Gary G and other members of the Yellow Nets party the Stripes won out with 54.something%.
So yah boo sucks to all ye non-believers.
Have *literally* forgotten what it’s like to win a vote…. any vote!
15 years and counting.
I’ve rarely been as intrigued about a forthcoming season as I am this one. I guess we won’t know exactly how the squad will look until the transfer window closes, which I believe is the end of October.
The new signings all seem to have something they can bring to the party-I won’t pick anyone out as I am notoriously awful at predicting how good players will become.
I feel that the debacle we saw in the restart last season has been put behind us, there’s enough new blood to change the losing culture. Webber and Farke won’t be wallowing in the despair of the last 10 games, I’m sure.
I just hope we get a chance to see the new boys in the flesh.
I went to Sheff wed, to see Sir Dion of Dublin last game, little did I know it would be Huck’s last one too. disgusting way to treat a player. I detested Rodent full stop nothing would ever make me rate the guy. even more so after that treatment. The work that went on to sign Hucks, the fanfare given the unveiling. The player taking a lower wage to help the move, I had hoped the Cook would have said something.
The way Hucks looked on the field at Hillborough, still sticks in my mind, one of not knowing, If the Rodent had any respect for the player he would not have acted the way he did.
I do not like the word Heroes when associated the football or any other sport for that matter, the word has been cheapened from the true people who stand out all around us, especially given this pandemic. Not paid thousands of pounds a week to kick a football. The nurse doing a 14 hour day, putting themselves at risk, are heroes
Fans Favourite, Stand Out, Much Loved , would be more suitable
That may just be me as I see much too much hype already aligned with football. A player’s new haircut gets headlines. Players strutting around saying “Do you Know who I am “
All very fair points. Disgraceful treatment of Hucks.
Also a fair point about the word ‘heroes’. Reminds me of a certain Alan Partridge episode….perhaps I’ve made a wrong word choice in my article.
I think the only reason Roeder got rid of Hucks was because he felt our favourite flying winger would get all the plaudits, and he couldn’t stand the competition. It was such a shame, because Hucks had at least two more good years in him, and he loved it here.
We have signed a few big names in the past beside Martin Peters – Mickey Channon, Martin Chivers and Joe Royle to name but three, however, they’ve always been at the fag end of their careers. They did give me some pleasure, though. Mickey Channon holding his ear towards away supporters after scoring, when they’d been giving him stick, and Big Joe giving Manure’s Gary Bailey so much “verbal”, that he forgot the rule (in force in those days) about the number of steps the keeper could take with the ball in his hands, causing him to give away an indirect free kick in the penalty area.
Unfortunately, players in their later years no longer seem to have the desire to play for “lesser” clubs, probably because they earn too much to contemplate the drop in wages, and they can make more for less effort as pundits.
An excellent point, Jim.
All three were before my time supporting though, so I never got to experience the excitement of seeing Peters unveiled.